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Reference.org
Abseiling
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<p>Abseiling , also known as rappelling (/ˈræpɛl/ RAP-pell or /rəˈpɛl/ rə-PELL; from <a href="/facts/French_language/qe1DnaQh">French</a> <i> rappeler</i> 'to recall, to pull through'), is the controlled descent of a steep slope, such as a rock face, by moving down a rope. When abseiling, the person descending controls their own movement down a static or <a href="/facts/Fixed_rope/Y83aRvHJ">fixed rope</a>, in contrast to <a href="/facts/Belaying/wQ2dHtT5">lowering off</a>, in which the rope attached to the person descending is paid out by their <a href="/facts/Belayer/wQ2dHtT5">belayer</a>. </p>